Clash
1821 Words
It is nothing. It is just his imagination. His brain is telling him what he has repeated himself more times than what he can count. Leon thinks.
He read somewhere that people can get to believe that they are a sort of god or deity because that's how their brain can withstand the bitter truth which is that people are but one of the many residents of the world and that they aren't special at all.
"That's the truth," Leon whispers, ignoring the dark feeling in his chest, but he doesn't go home, instead he changes his destination and goes to visit lord Davis.
He finds him in the hotel.
"Lord Davis, Leon is here," one of the knights informs. They like Leon after their encounter with the giant. He was there.
"Let him in," Davis replies and Leon enters the luxurious room. It's the first time he admires the luxury of the place that his father owns.
I'll build something similar of my own, he tells himself.
"Good morning, Leon, it's nice to see you," the leader of the knights says with a friendly attitude. "What can I do for you?"
I would like to speak with your magician, Leon thinks but he says something completely different.
"I'm here because of miss Mallorem," he says.
"Leave us alone," Davis commands, his expression fades into a darker one.
"What is it?" he asks when they are alone.
"I proposed to her to come with me to the capital," Leon adds. "She is with me now."
"That's why she has been missing these last days…" Davis lets out.
"But she said that you offered the same," Leon continues. "I'm here to tell you to quit."
Davis lifts his eyebrows.
"You are a married man," Leon adds. "Your relationship with her will only harm."
"What do you know, kid?" Davis answers, angry. "Let her choose whatever she wants and don't interfere in things that you don't understand."
"Exactly," Leon agrees. "I'm here to tell you to respect her decision whatever it is."
"Of course," Davis says.
"Good then, I won't waste more of your time," Leon says. "Have a nice day, my lord."
"You too, kid, you too," Davis answers and Leon leaves.
"So that's the kid?" a voice that always makes him go goosebumps speaks behind him. Davis sighs. "I like him, he is smart. He didn't try to kill you even after you had been enjoying his girlfriend."
"She wasn't anybody's girlfriend at that time," Davis replies.
"That doesn't make it less bad, my proud and faithful Davis," the being continues with his sharp voice. "But what's important is that he is strong and his mind is powerful. He will be a powerful knight. The order will be pleased."
The being was old, made only of bones and skin, his chest was exposed, the rest of his body, even his eyes, was covered by his robe. "Give a minute to rest, Addler," Davis replies.
"Yes, yes, mourn your lost love," the magician replies, bored of the same story over and over. "You cost me years of life, kid."
"What are a few years for an immortal?" Davis replies.
"Oh, kid, you not knowing that only proves me right," the old man responds, taking a seat on the armchair next to Davis' table.
"He still can fail," Davis adds.
"Oh, he asked you to continue with the tournament then," Addler adds.
"Why would he?" Davis asks.
"Probably because he wants to send a message," Addler says. "If you are going to fight him don't. He will probably win."
"What? I'm the leader of the knights! I won't be defeated by a kid not even if this kid is talented!" he asserts. "I have training and experience. I won't lose."
"He is smart, talented, strong, and young, that's enough for him to defeat experience," the magic-user responds. "But you are missing the point as always. Just be careful and don't underestimate him. Use one of your men instead of yourself."
"I'll consider your suggestion," the knight agrees. The magician sighs.
"You will, of course… as you did when you took that girl to your bed," Addler says, ironic.
"She seduced me!" the knight proclaims.
"Someone paid for that statement, Davis," the mage says, with a dark expression. "Someone died because of your weakness."
Davis holds his stare. He can break the magical being in half if he wants.
"I am the holt knight, Addler!" he declares. "Careful with your words."
Addler grins.
"I've heard those same words more times than the years that you have, kid, and not even once ended well for those who pronounced them that way," Addler replies. "Either way you have been warned. Fate is in your hands."
Davis wants to reply, but he knows the magician is right. The society of magicians is extremely helpful and important for the kingdom, and it has the same worth as the order in the eyes of the king. The three have always worked together for the country under the command of the king although the order and the magicians have the real power. They haven't taken over the crown because the royal family does the job well, and even when the country is still starving and struggling, it's winning the fight, it's getting stronger than ever, so strong that the Dwarf-lords got scared and declared war on the kingdom of the wolf, Fenris.
"Just keep an eye open…" Davis says, the magician turns around and smiles. "I don't want to mess things up, not when we need a strong man for that blade."
"I am, Davis, my friend, and we agree with you on choosing the children of Lucan," the magician. "And we disagree with you on your extramarital relationship with that young girl. We condemn it, and we will punish you if it becomes a scandal."
Davis sighs.
"A man has to master his passions not let his passions master him," the magician reprimands him and leaves the room.
Davis grins.
Perhaps one last time, he thinks.
"Basil!" he calls.
"Sir?" a blonde soldier enters.
"Call Maria Mallorem, immediately," he orders.
"Yes, sir," the knight answers and runs to complete his mission. Davis smiles, thinking of the things he is going to do.
Damn, I think I have an addiction. He thinks.
Half an hour later the soldier returns, and Davis ends shocked after reading the words of the letter that Maria sent:
Dear Davis,
Ours was great, funny and everything, but it's over.
I found someone else that I like so much. Maybe it's that thing called love for which people are getting married or maybe it's that thing for which they have extramarital relationships. I don't know, I guess sooner or later I will, but what I know is that our little adventure is over. I hope you understand.
I wish you the best, yours,
Maria M.
Davis smiles, angry.
"Leon," he squeezes the letter on his giant fist and throws it into the fireplace. "Basil!"
"My lord?" Basil replies.
"Bring me a bottle of the best rum," he commands.
"Yes sir!" the knight replies.
"Why do I even care? She was just another girl, one of many, there will be more. Why do I care? Damn… she is fire… that's why… damn." he repeats, drunk in the front door of Leon.
"She is mine," Leon says.
"Is she?" Davis replies and smirks. "Do you have the guts to fight for her?"
"I'm prepared," Leon replies. Davis nods.
"I like you, Leon, but your woman is a w***e. Are you agree with that?"
"She was not mine at that time," he let out. "Neither was yours."
"You have any idea of who you're talking to?" Davis adds. "Men would offer me their wives if I wish, and I-"
"Stop!" Leon says. "Say it when you are sober when all your strength is with you. Don't lose your honor now."
Davis smirks, then he laughs. He is going to show the kid who is in charge.
"My lord? Is that you?" a voice comes out of the house, behind Leon.
Davis smiles, bitterly, and even drunk he understands he loves the little witch.
"I was just... leaving," the knight says. "In two days, Leon. You have two days."
"I'll be honored," Leon answers.
"Two days?" Maria asks after the knight is gone.
"He wanted me to fight him right now, for some crazy lady that I won't mention," he jokes. "The poor man. Now I'm preoccupied."
"Oh! Who would have thought? You're afraid of him!" she lets out.
"Not at all," he says. "But I wonder if I end like that too."
Maria chuckles.
"Maybe," she jokes, taking his hand, leading him inside.
"I won't bother her again, I respect you," Davis tells him. "But Leon, my patience has limits. Remember that very well."
"Yes, sir," Leon answers, getting ready for the fight that will decide his life. If he fails he doesn't become a knight and Maria probably dumps him not caring about any of his qualities, but if he wins he wins a life worthy of a house, and enough money to make him rich. His dreams about heaven? They are still there, but now they are distant and fading memories, more and more diffuse as time keeps flowing. They are being replaced by the little girl that every night sneaks and gets into his bed.
"Your first opponent will be a magician," Davis says. "Lord Addler. After that, we will cross swords, Leon. Don't disappoint me."
"I won't," Leon declares.
They have canceled the tournament proclaiming Leon as the winner. Many people protested, but lord Davis added that they will test Leon in the arena, in glorious combat with the holy knight himself. If Leon failed then the tournament would be restarted immediately and any participant other than Leon would have an opportunity.
The stronghold is full of people, but he easily finds his parents next to Maria on the main balcony. She moves her hand and sends him a kiss. Leon smirks.
"I must introduce myself first, but instead I have to point out that she is annoying," the hooded figure says with a sharp and old voice.
Leon sees his exposed chest, just bones, and skin, and he remembers a being like that from another plane of existence.
"She is," Leon admits, shaking his head, banishing what now he calls delusions. He gets focused on his mysterious opponent.
"Let's end this fast, please," the magician declares, revealing his face and his macabre smile.
"Addler no!" Lord Davis shouts behind the magician, but he is far away from the contenders, he can't do anything. It's too late.
Orange, yellow, and red; it's alive and it's not. It flies from nowhere towards eternity, Leon is just in the way. As it gets closer Leon feels its immense heat.
- Writer
